SL Green Realty Corp. has secured $150 million of first mortgage financing for 2 Herald Square, and sold a 49 percent partnership interest to an Israeli institutional investor.
The recapitalization is the first step of a value-add capital program that will restore iconic status to the building located on one of the most prominent corners in New York.
In addition, SL Green announced the signing of four transactions at the Property, totaling 177,081 s/f:
- The execution of an agreement to convey a 30-year leasehold condominium covering 95,370 s/f to Mercy College;
- The signing of a new 29,388 s/f lease to expand WeWork; and,
- The signing of new retail leases with Victoria Secret and with Happy Socks, filling a recaptured Sixth Avenue lobby space that SL Green converted into a retail opportunity.
Mercy College’s 30-year transaction covers the building’s third, fourth and seventh floors and brings Mercy’s total footprint to 95,370 s/f from its existing 55,000 ss/f. As part of the transaction, Mercy will also receive a new dedicated 34th Street lobby by relocating its ground floor entrance and absorbing a portion of previously vacant retail space.
WeWork has expanded its footprint within the building with a new 29,388s/f lease.
Amazon, through WeWork’s enterprise client account, currently occupies 122,903 s/f across floors eight through 11 and the penthouse. Following the lease expansion, WeWork will also occupy a new dedicated lobby space located on 35th Street.
Building on the momentum already started from Victoria’s Secret’s recent corner extension, Happy Socks signed a new retail lease on Sixth Avenue, fronting Herald Square.
Together, these transactions raise the building occupancy to 93.2 percent.
“Following our successful acquisition of the leasehold at 2 Herald Square, we executed our business plan ahead of schedule by expanding existing tenants from within as well as adding a new tenant to our roster,” said Brett Herschenfeld, Managing Director at SL Green.
“In just six months, we have shown that with strong management and capital investment, this asset in a prime Herald Square location immediately attracts global capital and tenants.”
Located on a corner of Herald Square – at the intersection of Sixth Avenue, Broadway, and 34th Street – 2 Herald is a 369,000 s/f office and retail asset at one of Manhattan’s busiest locations and most vibrant retail and office submarket.
